Key controlled parcel post machine



Aug. 25, 1936. J. w. OGDEN KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE Filed March so, 1931 18 Sheets-Sheet 1 Snoentor (Ittorneg 4 Aug. 25, 1936. J. w. OGDEN KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE Filed March 50, 1931 18 Sheets-Sheet 2 Gttomeg f Aug. 25, 1936.

J. W. OGDEN KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE Filed March 50, 1931 18 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 25, 1936. .1. w. OGDEN KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE 18 sheets-sheet 4 Filed March 30, 1931 attorneg Aug. 25, 1936. .1. w. OGDEN I KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE Filed March so, 1931 18 Sheets-Sheet 5 (I ttomeu Aug. 25, 1936.

J. W. OGDEN KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE Filed March 30, 1931 18 Sheets-Sheet 6 Aug. 25, 1936. J. w. OGDEN 2,052,485

' KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE Filed March 30, 1931 18 Sheets-Sheet 7 Aug. 25, 1936. JfW OGDEN 2,052,485

KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE Filed March 30, 1931 l8 Sheets-Sheet 8 a I I )6" Ottoman Aug. 25, 1936. J. w. O'GDEN KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST. MACHINE Filed March 50,1931 l8 Sheets-Sheet 9 Aug. 25, 1936. J. w. OGDEN 2,052,485

KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE Filed March so, 1931' 18 Sheets-Sheet 10 1936- J. w. OGDEN 2,052,485

KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE Filed March 50, 1931 18 Sheets-Sheet ll J. W. OGDEN Aug. 25, 1936.

KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE Filed March 50, 1931 18 Sheets-Sheet 12 3nventor 1936- J. w. OGDEN. 2,052,485

KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE Filed March 30, 1931 18 Sheets-Sheet 13 Aug. 25, 1936. J. w. OGDEN KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE l8 Sheets-Sheet l4 Filed March 30, 1931 3nnentor Aug. 25, 1936. J. w. OGDEN KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE Filed March 30, 1931 18 Sheets-Sheet 15 (Ittonm 1936- J. w. OGDEN 2,052,485

KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE Filed March 30, 1951 18 Sheets-Sheet 16 1 Aug. 25, 1936. w OGDEN 2,052,485

KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHIN E Aug. 25, 1936.

J. OGDEN;

KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHINE F iled March so, 1951 18 Sheets-Sheet 18 c C t W 0 o m we. m a .1

Patented Aug. 25, 1936 UNITED STATES KEY CONTROLLED PARCEL POST MACHBVE Jacob IW. Ogden, Springdale, Conn., assignor to Pitney-Bowes Postage Meter 00., Stamford, Conn., a corporation of Delaware Application March 30, 1931, Serial No. 526,527

40 Claims.

This invention relates to so-called postage meter machines which print postal indicia on' mail matter. The present invention is particularly designed or adapted to print postal indicia on sections of an adhesive strip which can then be attached to mail matter enclosed in bulky containers or packages commonly known as parcel post mail matter in the same manner that adhesive postage stamps are now used. Parcel post mail matter varying so much in weight, size and general characteristics that it is not ordinarily possible to print the required postal indicia directly thereon.

One of the essential objects of the present invention is to provide a machine which will print omnia-stamp-indicia, that is any denomination or value of stamp from the smallest to the highest or maximum value of which the machine is capable. For this purpose movable type or numeral printing wheels are provided in such relation to the stamp indicia that any desired value can be printed on and appear as part of the stamp indicia. Another object is to provide such a machine with preferably key controlled devices for setting up the type or numeral wheels, so that the operator by depressing the numbered keys in proper sequence will cause the setting up" of the corresponding type or numeral wheels at the printing point so that such value will be printed on the stamp produced during the cycle of operations of the machine. A further object is to provide the machine with a plurality of registering mechanisms or counters, at least two being employed, and novel mechanism whereby at each operation of the machine the numerical value' of the stamp printed is additively registered in one counter (designatedthe total counter) and subtractively registered in the other counter (designated the subtracting counter) so that at any time the total counter will show the total value of the stamps which have been printed, and the subtracting counter will show the balance of prepaid postage which can still be used.

A further object is to provide the machine.with novel means whereby an impression may be taken from the stamp indicia at each operation of the machine; and for parcel post usage such impressions are preferably taken upon a gummed paper strip, suitable means being provided for feeding a proper length of this strip between the impression member and the indicia printing devices at each operation of the machine; and ior thereafter severing the imprinted portion from the strip so that it can be attached to the mail matter like an ordinary stamp.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the value of each stamp printed is recorded, and for this purpose the machine is provided with novel means whereby during each cycle of operations of the machine after the stamp 5 indicia has been printed on the strip as above stated, a second impression is taken from the value printing type upon a record tape, novel means being provided for feeding an endless record tape between the dies and impression memher in such manner that after the stamp indicia has been printed upon the strip a second impression'is taken from the value type upon such tape, so as to make and preserve on the tape a complete record of the value of each individual stamp printed by the machine.

The printing die and the counters are contained in a so-called meter, which is preferably detachably attachable to the machine and can be carried to the post oflice, where the proper oilicial can set the subtracting register to show the amount of prepaid postage which has been purchased; and when the meter is replaced in the machine the latter can be operated to print a stamp of any desired value, or various stamps of any desired value, as desired up to the maximum capacity of the machine until the total value of the stamps printed equals the amount of the prepaid postage purchased.

The machine is also provided with looking means controlled by the subtracting counter, whereby when the aggregate value of the successive individual imprints equals the amount for which the subtracting counter was set the mechanisms will be automatically locked; and no more stamp impressions can be made until the meter has been recharged by resetting the subtracting register for another amount of prepaid postage. The meter may be made inseparable from the machine, but is preferably detachable so that only 40 the meter need be carried-to the post oflice for recharging. When the meter is detachable automatic locking devices are provided whereby when the meter is removed the mechanisms in the meter cannot be effectively opbrated, and the other parts of the machine are also rendered inefiective. The machine is also provided with various locking devices and safety devices whereby the taking of an improper orv i raudulent impression from the stamp indicia will be effectively prevented.

The stationary unit of the machine or part upon which the meter is mounted contains selective and actuating mechanisms designed to cooperate with the mechanisms in the meter to produce the printed indicia and register the values thereof. Neither the stationary unit nor the portable unit or meter is sufficient in itself to produce a stamp or impression thereof; the units I will describe the machine with reference to said drawings; and thereafter set forth in the claims the essentials of the invention and the novel features of construction and novel combinations of parts for which protection is desired.

In the said drawings;

Fig. 1 is a front view of the complete machine.

Fig. 2 is a reduced left hand end view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a reduced right hand end view thereof.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the meter.

Fig. 5 is a front view of mechanisms in the meter with the cover removed.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the devices for raising and lowering the indicia printing die.

Fig. 7 is a detail front view of the die carrier and'its raising and lowering devices.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the mechanism for shifting the printing wheels in the meter and also of the device for actuating the adding and subtracting registers therein.

Fig. 9 is a front view of the devices shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a detail view of the counter actuating mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a detail front view of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is an enlarged top view of one of the counting mechanisms detached.

Figs. 13 and 14 are enlarged detail views illustrating the devices for transferring accumulated excess of units of a low denomination in the counter to the next higher numeral wheel.

Figs. 15 and 16 are detail front and side views of one of the counter actuating gear units.

Figs, 17'and 17a are face and side views of the postmarking die.

Fig. 18 is a detail view showing the serial numbering devices interposed between the postmarking die and the stamp indicia die.

Fig. 19 is a right-hand end view of Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a detail sectional view of the serial numbering counter.

Fig. 21 is a front view of the numbering counter, detached.-

Fig. 22 is a side elevation of the machine partly in section and partly broken away showing the operative parts.

Fig. 23 is an enlarged view of the key controlled setting-up devices.

Fig. 24 is a detail view of one set of setting-up devices.

Fig. 25 isa view similar to the upper part of Fig. 24 showing a different position of the parts.

Fig. 25a is a detail.

Figs. 26 and 27 are detail views of the connections between the key actuated devices and the meter slides.

Figs. 28 and 29 are detailed sectional views of the key holders.

Fig. 30 is a plan view of the platen and platen operating devices.

Fig. 31 is a side view of the devices shown in Fig. 30.

Fig. 32 is a detail view of part of the inking mechanism.

Fig. 33 is a detail view showing the gearing for driving the ink supply and distributing rollers.

Fig. 34 is a front view, partly broken away, of the mechanisms for feeding the web or strip to the platen.

Fig. 35 is a detail view of the mechanism for actuating the strip feeding rollers.

Figs. 36 and 37 are detail views of the means for controlling the length of strip feed.

Figs. 38 and 39 are detail side views of the mechanism whereby the severed strip is ejected after it has been printed showing the ejecting wheels in different positions.

Fig. 40 is an end view of Fig. 39.

Figs. 41 and 42 are enlarged detail views of the devices for operating the strip ejector wheels showing same in two positions.

Fig. 43 is a detail view of the strip cutting devices.

Fig. 44 is a detail sectional view thereof.

Fig. 45 is a diagrammatic side view partly broken away of the record tape, feeding, printing and re-winding mechanisms.

Fig. 46 is a detail plan view of Fig. 45.

Figs. 47 and 48 are detail sectional views illustrating the different positions of the platen in printing the record tape.

Fig. 49 is a detail top view of various safety locking devices in the machine.

Fig. 50 is a side view of the locking devices shown in Fig. 49.

Fig. 50a is a view similar to Fig. 50 showing the Figs. 53 and 54 are detail views illustrating the means for locking the subtracting register, and also of the meansfor preventing proper entry of the meter pin when the subtracting register is exhausted.

Figs. 55 and 56 are detail views of the devices for locking or unlocking the meter when it is in position in the machine.

Figs. 57, 58, and 59 are detail views of the locking devices in Figs. 55 and 56.

Fig. 60 is a detail'view of the means for locking the slides in the meter.

The machine shown has a base llllla, upon one end of which is mounted a casing having an upwardly extending portion I00 which contains the key controlled setting up devices. On this casing at one side of the portion I00 is mounted the meter I hereinafter referred to. The portion l00m of the casing, in front of which the meter l is placed, contains the cam mechanism and selective slide operating devices, whereby the slides which connect the key controlled mechanism with the printing devices and the counter operat-' ing devices in the meter are actuated. On the base is also mounted a casing member I001; in which is enclosed the inking mechanism hereinafter referred to and part of the record tape actuating mechanism.

In the machine shown the printing mechanism and registering mechanism are in the meter I, and the meter is' removable as hereinafter explained, but this is a matter of convenience and 

